Private clinics called to “completely suspend” their activities from June 3 to 5

The Federation of Private Hospitalization specifies that the strike movement is “renewable” and of indefinite duration. She calls for an increase of 500 million euros in the budget allocated to private hospitals for 2024.

Anger rumbles. Private clinics, at war with the government over their prices for 2024, are called upon to “suspend completely” their activities from June 3, hammered the Federation of Private Hospitalization (FHP) during a press conference, Thursday March 25. It was organized jointly with five of the six representative unions of private doctors, according to the message published on LinkedIn by the federation. This total strike had already been mentioned at the beginning of April.

The clinics are planning a total suspension of their activities from June 3 to 5, extended until June 9 for emergencies and ongoing care. But the movement is “renewable” and of indefinite duration. Professionals will begin contacting patients to deprogram them “between May 15 and 20” For “that on June 3, there will be the minimum number of hospitalized patients”, explained Philippe Cuq, co-president of the Avenir Spé Le Bloc specialists union. Patients already hospitalized will continue “Of course” to be treated, he said. Certain vital activities will also continue to be carried out.

A situation “never known” before

“There is a total alliance between liberal medicine and private hospitalization”, assured Lamine Gharbi, president of the Federation of Private Hospitalization. Liberal specialists mostly work both in their offices and in the clinics, which are their “work tool”. “If our establishments tell us that certain activities are loss-making, that we close services, operating theaters, because it is no longer profitable (…) our activity will be in great difficulty”anticipated Philippe Cuq, before warning of a situation “never known” previously.

The FHP is calling for an increase of 500 million euros in the budget allocated to private hospitals for 2024, to benefit from an increase equivalent to that allocated to public hospitals. She says she needs this increase – out of a current total envelope of 18 billion – to be able to compensate for inflation and raise salaries to the same level as in the public sector.

So far, the government plans an increase of 0.3% in this envelope for the private sector, compared to 4.3% for public hospitals. According to the FHP, 40% of private establishments are today in loss, with an overall deficit in the private sector of 800 million euros. If private sector clinics were to have to lower the curtain, “the government will see that we are essential”concluded Lamine Gharbi.